Enable BASIC transformer in DataStage

When you are developing a Parallel job in DataStage, we are able to call a server routine in our Parallel job provided that we make use of BASIC transformer.

BASIC transformer is not visible in the Proccesing palette in Parallel job. Hence we would need to bring in the BASIC transformer to our design canvas following the steps stated below:
Go to Repository tree -> Stages Types -> Parallel ->  Processing -> BASIC Transformer.
Drag and drop the BASIC transformer stage to our design canvas.

With BASIC transformer, we are able to perform various server type data transformation in parallel job. For example, calling a server routine, link variables, etcs.

DataStage Error - [General repository interface 'other error']

Situation
Today,one of my DataStage job that is scheduled to be run everyday suddenly failed and below is the error message that I captured in DataStage Director.

jobControlForEntity..JobControl (@JA_loadETLStreamFromRelationship): Controller problem: Error calling DSRunJob(loadETLStreamFromRelationship), code = -99
[General repository interface 'other error']

When I saw this error message, I really have no clues on why this error message is thrown as the job is running without fail all the time. Anyway, after spending a couple of hours to debug it and I managed to resolve this.


Solutions

1. Create a new copy of the loadETLStreamFromRelationship by right click on the job and select Create Copy. A new job with the name CopyOfloadETLStreamFromRelationship is created.
2. Change the job sequence to invoke the new copy of the job which is CopyOfloadETLStreamFromRelationship.
3. Recompile and re-run the job. Now the job running fine without throwing any errors as stated above.
4. Delete the previous job loadETLStreamFromRelationship.
5. Rename the new copy of the job to become loadETLStreamFromRelationship and change back the sequence to invoke the loadETLStreamFromRelationship.

Hope this helps.

Install and Configure Cognos 8 Business Intelligence - Part 1

This post shows the step-by-step from installation and configuration of Cognos 8.

Assumption : MS SQL Server 2005 and IIS already installed in your machine.

Install Cognos 8 BI on Windows 2000

Run the issetup.exe in the win32 folder from your download directory. The following screen will be shown.


Ensure that English is selected as the language and click Next.


Accept the license agreement by choosing the I accept radio button. Click Next.


Accept the default as the installation location. Click Next.


A dialog box will be pop-up to ask for confirmation whether you want to create the directory. Click Yes and next screen will be shown.


Ensure that all the components are selected as depicted in above screen and click Next.


Click Next again at this step.


You are now at Installation Summary screen which summarize list of components to be installed in your machine and in the particular drive. Click Next.


The installation process is now starting. Once completed, click Next and you can see the following screen.


Click on finish to close the screen. You just finish with the installation process of Cognos 8 BI.

You shouldn't have any problem with all the steps indicated here as the entire installation process is pretty straight forward. I will be posted the Part 2 end of this week. :)

IBM acquired Cognos at $5 billion USD

SAP bought BusinessObjects last month and now IBM acquired Cognos, last of large independent business intelligence providers. In just a month, two leading business intelligence players have been acquired.

http://www.cognos.com/news/releases/2007/1112.html